The Journal of Jedediah Barstow: An Emigrant On The Oregon Trail (My Name is America series) [Hardcover]

Ellen Levine (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Orphaned after losing his parents in a rafting accident, Jedediah Barstow must find the courage to follow his family's dream westward along the Oregon Trail.

Having lost his parents and younger sister when they tried to ford a river along the Oregon Trail, Jedediah Barstow decides to make his way to the Oregon Territory on his own. He is "adopted" by the Henshaw family, who allow him to travel in their wagon in exchange for his help with the daily maintenance work along the way. Jedediah's adventures, along with the friends he makes and the lessons he learns, make for an unforgettable story of a brave young boy who sets off to discover a wild, new world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-A 13-year-old records the day-to-day struggles of the members of a wagon train traveling from Independence, MO, to Oregon. The story begins about two weeks after Jedediah's family drowned trying to cross the Kaw River and ends when the company is a few days' journey from Oregon City. Along the way, the boy records the effort to cross plains, ford rivers, and climb mountains; he tells of encounters with animals and Native Americans; and he describes the personality quirks of fellow travelers. Readers will care about the characters and root for them from first page to last, but an epilogue chronicling their lives after the story's close may confuse some into thinking that these were real people. Back matter includes historical notes and black-and-white photographs of wagons and pioneers on the trail. This is a useful book for social-studies units, especially when paired with Kristiana Gregory's Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie (1997) and Levine's If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon (1992, both Scholastic).
Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CT
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Jedediah's mother is keeping a journal of their family's grand adventure to Oregon to share with future generations. Then she and Jedediah's father and sister drown while crossing the Kaw River in a thunderstorm. Hearing his mother's voice admonishing him to "stop avoiding," Jedediah takes over the journal. Beginning with the account of the tragic river crossing, he carefully records the challenges and hardships of the Oregon Trail. Filled with nicely drawn details of the beautiful but sometimes treacherous land, the dangers from rattlesnakes and disease, and the conflicts between his fellow travelers, Jedediah's story shows the Oregon Trail through the eyes and emotions of a young person who perseveres despite a tragic loss. Like other titles in the My Name Is America series, this solid adventure story closes with historical notes and photographs. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; 1 edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439063108
• ISBN-13: 978-0439063104
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Levine has always been drawn to stories of people who struggled for justice, and of ordinary people who did extraordinary things. She was fascinated by Henry "Box" Brown, whose escape is recounted in The Underground Railroad by William Still, first published in 1872. Ms. Levine was awed by Henry's ingenious idea and moved by his incredible courage. Among the author's award-winning books are Freedom's Children, winner of the Jane Addams Peace Award and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Darkness Over Denmark, a Jame Addams Peace Award Honor Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in New York City and Salem, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice depiction of the Oregon Trail, October 12, 2002

By 

hiphopgirl_1000 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journal of Jedediah Barstow: An Emigrant On The Oregon Trail (My Name is America series) (Hardcover)

After the rest of his family drowned while fording a river on the Oregon Trail, Jedediah Barstow finds himself all alone and carrying on the family "dream" which to him has already been shattered. Adopted by the Henshaw family Jedediah finds himself braving the trails of the old west to carry on the family dream. Even through the constant complaints from grouchy Mr. Henshaw Jedediah perseveres knowing he is the only one to fulfill the dream of his family. Through fording rivers, meeting Indians, getting stampeded by bufflo, and carving his name on Chimney Rock, you get to look into the life of a brave young boy carrying on the family dream.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jedediah Barstow, May 7, 2004

By 

Kayla (Mayflower AR.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journal of Jedediah Barstow: An Emigrant On The Oregon Trail (My Name is America series) (Hardcover)

It takes place on the Oregon Trail. The main character is Jedediah Barstow. After his father, mother, and sister drown during a river crossing Jedediah keeps his mother's journal as his own. After the accident he keeps to himself for a while. then he makes new friends. But but the person he stayed with is very rude to him. His name was Mr. Henshaw. Jedediah chose to stay on the Oregon Trail to fulfill his parents "DREAM". He goes through my hardships but in between there is happiness.

I loved this book. It not only showed what hardship they went through, but it shows the good too. I would reamend this book to anyone who loves a good read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars its all good, May 7, 2004

By 

nikole (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journal of Jedediah Barstow: An Emigrant On The Oregon Trail (My Name is America series) (Hardcover)

In this book a young boy looses his family when they all drown but him. In his diary he talks about all of the people that are on the trip with him, including a Jew who is unliked by everyone except the blacksmith, whom he works for, and an abusive husband who he stands up to after the husband after he scares his daughter so badly that she hides, crouching, underneath the wagon. I liked this book a whole lot. It was a wonderful book. And so short! I read it in one night and I stayed up to finish it. I just didn't want to go to sleep not knowing what would happen next. One of the story elements in this story is suspense. There is so much suspense that it is almost like a thriller novel except not scary.